Yes, I had a fat day and It felt great

I went to Visit friends at JMU and we sat down at Bob Evans for lunch. I saw this amazing half pound smokehouse burger with onion petals and spicy sauce on it. I checked it out on MFP just to see what it was, and the burger itself was 1220 calories. Then I had a SIDE of onion petals for another 200 or so calories. It actually made me sick because I'm not used to that kinda food anymore, but it was SOOOOOOOOO good.

Good for you! I don't really plan out cheats (meaning, I don't set aside a day a week), but do tend to allow myself to indulge in whatever I want within my calorie goals - as long as it fits, it's in. On days that I really do cheat, oh boy - usually it is bar food for me! Spinach artichoke dip, beer, wings, lots of bread, pizza, hot dogs, ice cream, etc All of the really calorie laden stuff that the gym won't even allow you to earn the credit back for! The real cheat days are typically accompanied by a special occasion of sorts - birthday, holiday, gathering - and I allow myself the opportunity to enjoy.

That's not bad at all! Even if you went over your calorie limit, it's fine. It happens sometimes - can't be perfect every day! But I would still try to log everything as closely as possible just so you know. At least that's what I do just so I know exactly how far over I was in my limit and it makes me think twice next time or cut the portion smaller at least. Just a suggestion

we all have em, just "turn the page" as a friend of mine once told me :-)

Sometimes you just have to do it!

Warning though....if you've been away from fried foods and lots of dairy, don't be surprised if your tummy decides to rebel later :sick:

I'm usually way over if i'm traveling all day. so if i go visit my mom, in the car for 5-6 hours, eating out all meals, then i'm way over! but it's been a couple of months. I'll be going there in a few weeks again, and then thanksgiving of course. if it's every few weeks, i don't sweat it.

I just had a cheat VACATION - good thing it was only 3 days and I ran out of exciting sports to watch. :laugh: It was fun, though, and I don't regret any of it. Just gotta get back at it today.

Regarding the other thread - mentally handicapped vs developmentally delayed vs - yes, I'm going to say it - mentally retarded: When did "retarded" become the taboo word and why? I'm just curious about the evolution of terminology here, because my sister is developmentally delayed (not too long ago she would have been referred to w/ the R word. It wouldn't have been said maliciously, either - it would be a describer. She does not have Down's or ADD or any other labelled thing...her IQ is just really low.)

I get that it can be used offensively, but *anything* can.

I have a >3000 calorie day every single weekend. Still a loser. But I don't call it a "fat day" or "cheat day" because those terms make it seem like it's a bad thing. I call it a Spike Day (a term coined by the author of the Spike Diet, who is also a member of this site) or a carb-up day, depending on what I eat. I don't know why people seem to think it's such a bad thing. When you're in a calorie deficit for too long your metabolism slows. Creating a surplus on a weekly basis keeps that from happening & although the daily weighins will fluctuate, staying on plan the other 6 days will still create losses from week to week. Not to mention there are mental benefits to taking a "break" from the planning & tracking food.

I have to say it irritates me to see so many people take a single day (or meal) "off" from their plan & act like it's something to feel guilty about or make up for. By giving myself permission to eat whatever I want 1 day a week, when that day comes I've spent the other 6 days deciding on only the very best yummy stuff to eat on Spike Day. No stuffing my face with mindless crap & wishing I never ate it. It's very possible I've never enjoyed eating those foods more than I do now. If I'm taking care of business 6 days a week, why should I feel guilty for eating crap on the 7th day if I want to? It's way better than the YEARS I spent eating crap 7 days a week. There's nothing I could eat on that 7th day that could cancel out my hard work.

And I always take vacations off from diet. I've been advised by my trainer to take a full week off from exercise at least every 10-12 weeks anyway.

EDIT: It is also worth noting that since I regularly spike, I never feel the need to overdo it because none of my cravings have been building up for more than 6 days.

I had a drink day to many vodka cranberry and too much beer. It felt great at the time but it set me back.

that's my downfall...........

BEER!

I won't give it up, and I won't drink that light *kitten*.................

So, I try to fit it into those days when I indulge - doesn't always work, but that's okay.

As for "fat days"? I haven't had many - had a weekend earlier this month where I spent a couple of days at a friend's farm . She loves to cook with butter and whole milk and lots of really nummy fatty foods. I ate most everything.....and was quite literally SICK when I got home! My system isn't used to that. It was a lesson for me

On my sister's wedding on Sunday - I didn't even log. I didn't even want to know how many cals I was eating! Probably multiples of my daily calorie allotment. But my sister is only getting married once, and this was my first pig out day in at least 3 months, if not 6 months - whatever. My body should be able to handle it.